BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

The Department of Education (DepEd) is mobilizing immediate assistance to schools and communities affected by the recent disasters, including the 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Bogo, Cebu, and Typhoon Nando and Opong.

Through the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., government relief operations were launched to support families and learners in disaster-hit areas. In Masbate City, the President, together with Education Secretary Sonny Angara, and other government officials, distributed various aid to affected families, local government units, and other beneficiaries during his visit to the Nursery Elementary School in Masbate City on October 1.

These include the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) of PhP10,000 each for 600 families, and two (2) checks totaling over PhP34.8 million from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region V to the Provincial Government of Masbate for Livelihood Assistance and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) for 6,455 beneficiaries in 11 municipalities.

In Gonzaga, Cagayan, the President also personally delivered aid to farmers and families affected by Typhoon Nando in Cagayan, alongside a visit to Alfonso Ponce Enrile Hospital to ensure the implementation of Zero Balance Billing. DepEd also joined the PhilHealth YAKAP Caravan at Santa Ana Fishery National High School, providing medical services, and food packs and learner kits to teachers, students, and parents.

Secretary Angara, who also visited affected schools in Cagayan and La Union, stressed the importance of preparing schools and communities to withstand disasters.

“Tungkulin natin na mabilis na tugunan ang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na at sunod sunod ang pananalasa ng mga kalamidad. Kailangan mapaigting natin ang koordinasyon ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno upang maibalik ang ligtas at normal na klase sa lalong madaling panahon,” Angara said.

Meanwhile, the DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service reported around 250 classrooms sustained varying degree of damages following the earthquake that hit Northern Cebu late Tuesday, September 30. Based on its Situation Report as of October 1, 9am, the earthquake damages were recorded in Region 6, 7, 8 and Negros Island Region (NIR), and affected around 2,200 learners and 90 personnel. 

For Typhoon Opong, DepEd recorded about 1,101 classrooms with minor damage and 312 totally damaged, affecting some 13 million learners nationwide.

In a radio interview, Undersecretary for Operations Malcolm Garma said affected schools are ready to roll out learning recovery measures as soon as conditions allow. He also called on education stakeholders to work with DepEd in its mission to immediately restore normalcy in school communities.

“Sa parte po ng DepEd, we are making sure na yung lost days for learning ay ma-recapture naming o ma-recover namin. But for structures, again, we are also appealing to our counterparts in DPWH and of course the Local Government Units kung paano po natin tutugunan,” Usec. Garma said.

To strengthen resilience in the long term, DepEd is rolling out programs such as the PlanSmart for Safe Schools Application, the Pillar 1 Guidebook on Comprehensive School Safety, the M7X Project for multi-hazard preparedness, and Upgraded Temporary Learning Spaces (UTLS), designed to ensure uninterrupted education during emergencies.

DepEd assured that recovery plans include the provision of temporary learning spaces, support for affected learners and teachers, and closer coordination with national and local partners to fast-track school rehabilitation.

*All Photos from DepEd